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toedtoes's avatar
toedtoes
Explorer III
Mar 28, 2021

New Camping Buddies

Last May, I lost both my dogs, Moose-dog and Bat-dog. Moose-dog to old age (15 yr old shep/poodle/newfie) and Bat-dog to a brain tumor. She was 11yrs.

Anyway, it was very lonely so I adopted a very beautiful, very sweet shepherd, Cat-dog. Her only issue is with other dogs. She's afraid of them. However, she mothers her cats wonderfully.

So after time for her to adjust to her new home, I started looking into getting a puppy. The first thing was to see how she'd take to a puppy, so the local shelter's foster brought over a small puppy. Cat-dog was in love! She immediately washed its face and was just so happy.

OK. Now we're ready to find the right puppy. It needs to be 4 months or under, big enough for a large shepherd and I'd prefer a male. My preference was for a shepherd mix, but I was open to other mixes.

Rescues wanted as much as $750 to adopt a puppy. The ones I contacted about were adopted the same day they were posted on the websites. There were girls available, but they didn't want to adopt them with another female.

After 3 months of searching, contacting, failing, I contacted a shelter 4 hours away about some aussie mix puppies they had just posted. They were already taken, but she told me they had a litter of border collie mix puppies that would be ready in two weeks. So I submitted my paperwork and got scheduled for the first virtual adoption appt. Which meant I got my pick of the litter.

On Sunday, January 31, they posted their photos. There were 5 girls all but one brown and white shorthaired. The 5th was almost all white with just a touch of black. The 3 boys were each different. One was brown and white like the girls, the second was fluffy with a black with brown coat, and the 3rd was white with some black. For the entire night I kept looking at the photos and I just kept being drawn to the same one.

Monday morning, I had the virtual and they brought that puppy into the "camera viewing area". He was adorable and happy and friendly. They asked if I wanted to see one of the other boys and I couldn't pick between them. So I adopted the one and scheduled to pick him up on Tuesday after his neutering.

So which one came home? Here is what I found after the tornado hit the living room:


Cat-dog loves him! She washed him, she showed hime where to sleep - I don't know why but she insists on sleeping UNDER the bed. I have invited her on the bed, but she won't stay. He comes up for a nap sometimes, but likes to sleep with his sister.






I had my doubts about the border collie, so I got his dna tested.

At just under 8 weeks, he weighed 10lbs. He's the biggest of the litter. At 15 weeks he weighed 25lbs.

Any guesses as to what he is?

47 Replies

  • I love being able to know what's in them. It's great to understand their thinking processes.

    I have to say I've been lucky with my dogs over the years. They've all been a good fit for me.
  • Sometimes its best not to know what he is, so have fun with it! You know what he has , thats a better life now. But you knew this allready.
  • Thanks. Gordon's are gorgeous dogs. How do they compare personality-wise to the springers? I've only met a couple gordons a long time ago and am more familiar with the Irish.

    Tornado-dog is quite a handful, but things usually get through his brain by the time I get to 2. It's usually "stop that. One. Two." and he's followed through with the command. If he's real excited, it can reach the " ...Two. I'm getting up. " before he remembers his rules. But he is a very fast learner.

    Cat-dog is very good, but if she gets nervous, she'll try to hide - so coming on command can be difficult. As soon as he gets his last puppy shots, they will both be going to obedience class. A friend is considering getting a dog, so she'll work with Tornado-dog and I'll work with Cat-dog since she has to work through her issues.

    The cats have actually adjusted to him quite well.
  • Enjoy! We finally have a good chance at a puppy but a Gordon setter and not a springer. Hope it works out. I'm so glad you've got some new buddies to keep you young!
  • Thanks. He is a one-of-a-kind breed: Giant Jack Russell Terrier.

    His dna says 40-60% parson russell (they split the JRT into two breeds now) and 10-25% each shih tzu, collie and pekinese. But in reality he is 100% JRT in personality and his size comes from the collie. Don't see the other breeds at all. He's estimated to grow to 86lbs. I may be in trouble. ;)

    He has denifitely livened up the house. He has one more puppy shot and then he can start exploring the world and camp.
  • No guesses but am happy you have these great new friends.